parent resources
dosage charts
resources for parents
As parents we always worry and have questions. At Complete Children’s Health, we listen and care about your concerns. Our For Parents area is devoted to addressing, educating, and informing parents about some of the common issues and topics that we hear about as pediatricians. We are proud to provide several resources and you can easily access different topics and categories by using the Sections Links on this page. Please contact us with questions.
Acetaminophen
Indications: Treatment of fever and pain.
- Age Limit: Don’t use under 12 weeks of age. Reason: Fever during the first 12 weeks of life needs to be documented in a medical setting. If present, your infant needs a complete evaluation. Exception: Fever from immunization if infant is 8 weeks of age or older.
- Dosage: determine by finding child’s weight in the top row of the dosage table.
- Measuring the dosage: Use a special measuring or dosing device. If possible, use the syringe or dropper that comes with the medicine. If not, medicine syringes are available at pharmacies. If you use a teaspoon, it must be a measuring spoon. Regular household spoons are not accurate. Also, remember that 1 level teaspoon equals 5 mL and that 1/2 teaspoon equals 2.5 mL.
- Brand Names: Tylenol, Feverall (suppositories), generic or store-brand acetaminophen.
- Caution: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be found in many prescription and over-the counter medicines. Read the labels to be sure your child is not getting it from 2 products. If you have questions, call your child’s doctor.
- Caution: Do not alternate acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen products. Reason: No benefit over using 1 med alone and a risk of overdose. Exception: Your child’s doctor has instructed you to do this.
- Frequency: Repeat every 4-6 hours as needed. Caution: Don’t give more than 5 times a day. Reason: danger of liver damage.
- Meltaways: Dissolvable tabs that come in 80 mg and 160 mg (jr. strength).
- Suppositories: Acetaminophen also comes in 80, 120, 325 and 650 mg suppositories. The rectal dose is the same as the dosage given byy mouth. Suppositories may only be available at local drugstore pharmacies (not grocery store pharmacies). Have the caller phone their local drugstore first to confirm availability of Feverall or generic suppositories.
- Avoid Extended-Release: Avoid 650 mg oral products in children. Reason: They are given every 8 hours.
- Concentration: Dosage charts are for U.S. products only. Concentrations may vary with international pharmaceuticals. Always double check the concentration if product bought from outside the U.S.
| Child's weight (pounds) | 6-11 lbs | 12-17 lbs | 18-23 lbs | 24-35 lbs | 36-47 lbs | 48-59 lbs | 60-71 lbs | 72-95 lbs | 96+ lbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total amount | 40 mg | 80 mg | 120 mg | 160 mg | 240 mg | 325 mg | 400 mg | 480 mg | 650 mg |
| Syrup 160 mg/5 ml | 1.25 ml | 2.5 ml | 3.75 ml | 5 ml | 7.5 ml | 10 ml | 12.5 ml | 15 ml | 20 ml |
| Syrup 160 mg/1 teaspoon | 0.5 tsp | 0.75 tsp | 1 tsp | 1.5 tsp | 2 tsp | 2.5 tsp | 3 tsp | 4 tsp | |
| Chewable 80 mg tablets | 1.5 tabs | 2 tabs | 3 tabs | 4 tabs | 5 tabs | 6 tabs | 8 tabs | ||
| Chewable 160 mg tablets | 1 tab | 1.5 tabs | 2 tabs | 2.5 tabs | 3 tabs | 4 tabs | |||
| Adult 325 mg tablets | 1 tab | 1 tab | 1.5 tabs | 2 tabs | |||||
| Adult 500 mg tablets | 1 tab | 1 tab |
Ibuprofen
Indications: Treatment of fever and pain.
- Age Limit: Don’t use under 6 months of age. Reason: not FDA approved. Exception: Your child’s doctor has instructed you to use.
- Dosage: Determine by finding child’s weight in the top row of the dosage table.
- Measuring the Dosage: Use a special measuring or dosing device. If possible, use the syringe or dropper that comes with the medicine. If not, medicine syringes are available at pharmacies. If you use a teaspoon, it must be a measuring spoon. Regular household spoons are not accurate. Also remember that 1 level teaspoon equals 5 mL and that 1/2 teaspoon equals 2.5 mL.
- Brand Names: Motrin, Advil, generic or store-brand ibuprofen.
- Caution: Do not alternate acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen products. Reason: No benefit over using 1 med alone and a risk of overdose. Exception: Your child’s doctor has instructed you to do this.
- Frequency: Repeat every 6-8 hours as needed.
- Adult Dosage: 400 mg.
- Ibuprofen Drops: Ibuprofen infant drops come with a measuring syringe.
- Concentration: Dosage charts are for U.S. products only. Concentrations may vary with international pharmaceuticals. Always double check the concentration if product brought from outside the U.S.
- Calculating Dosage: 3-5 mg/lb (5-10 mg/kg). Do not recommend dosages above the OTC adult dosage listed above, unless directed by the protocol or recommended by the patient’s PCP.
| Child's weight (pounds) | 12-17 lbs | 18-23 lbs | 24-35 lbs | 36-47 lbs | 48-47 lbs | 60-71 lbs | 72-95 lbs | 96+ lbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total amount | 50 mg | 75 mg | 100 mg | 150 mg | 200 mg | 250 mg | 300 mg | 400 mg |
| Infant Drops 50 mg/1.25 ml | 1.25 ml | 1.875 ml | 2.5 ml | 3.75 ml | 5 ml | |||
| Liquid 100 mg/1 teaspoon | 0.5 tsp | 0.75 tsp | 1 tsp | 1.5 tsp | 2 tsp | 2.5 tsp | 3 tsp | 4 tsp |
| Liquid 100 mg/5 milliliters | 2.5 ml | 4 ml | 5 ml | 7.5 ml | 10 ml | 12.5 ml | 15 ml | 20 ml |
| Chewable 100 mg tablets | 1 tab | 1.5 tabs | 2 tabs | 2.5 tabs | 3 tabs | 4 tabs | ||
| Junior-strength 100 mg tablets | 2 tabs | 2.5 tabs | 3 tabs | 4 tabs | ||||
| Adult 200 mg tablets | 1 tab | 1 tab | 1.5 tabs | 2 tabs |
Itching / Allergies
| May Give Every | 14-17 lbs. 6-11 mo. | 18-23 lbs. 12-23 mo. | 24-35 lbs. 2-3 yr. | 36-47 lbs. 4-5 yr. | 48-59 lbs. 6-8 yr. | 60-85 lbs. 9-11 yr. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benadryl (red) Syrup 12.5 mg/5 ml | 6 hours | DNU* | DNU* | 1 tsp. | 1 tsp. | 2 tsp. | 2 tsp. |
| Benadryl Fast Melts 12.5 mg | 4-6 hours | DNU | DNU | DNU* | DNU* | 1 to 2 tabs. | 1 to 2 tabs. |
| Benadryl Tablet 25 mg | 6 hours | DNU | DNU | DNU | DNU | 1 tab. | 1 tab. |
| Claritin 5 mg/5 ml | 24 hours | DNU* | DNU* | 1/2 to 1 tsp. | 1/2 to 1 tsp. | 1 to 2 tsp. | 2 tsp. |
| Claritin Reditabs 5 mg | 24 hours | DNU | DNU | DNU | 1 tab. | 2 tab. | 2 tab. |
| Claritin Tablets 10 mg | 24 hours | DNU | DNU | DNU | DNU | 1 tab. | 1 tab. |
| Dimetapp Cold and Allergy | 4-6 hours | DNU* | DNU* | DNU* | 1 tsp. | 2 tsp. | 2 tsp. |
| Triaminic Cold and Allergy | 4-6 hours | DNU* | DNU* | DNU* | 1 tsp. | 2 tsp. | 2 tsp. |
| Zyrtec 5 mg/5 ml | 24 hours | DNU* | DNU* | 1/2 to 1 tsp. | 1/2 to 1 tsp. | 1 to 2 tsp. | 1 to 2 tsp. |
| Zyrtec Chewable Tablets 5 mg | 24 hours | DNU | DNU | DNU | 1 tab. | 1 to 2 tabs | 2 tab. |
| Zyrtec Tablets 10 mg | 24 hours | DNU | DNU | DNU | DNU | 1 to 2 tsp. | 1 tab. |
IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you have questions about any of this information consult your child’s physician.
DNU = Do Not Use
DNU* = Do Not Use unless prescribed by your child’s physician.
LOCATIONS
3262 Salt Creek Circle, Lincoln, NE 68504
4020 Hohensee Drive, Lincoln, NE 68516
8201 Northwoods Drive, Lincoln, NE 68505
1336 West A St, Suite B Lincoln, NE 68522
Phone: 402-465-5600
Fax: 402-327-6074
Holidays
Complete Children’s Health is closed on some holidays including Christmas, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Other select days may have reduced hours.
HOURS
Clinic Hours-Weekdays
8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday – Friday
Clinic Hours-Weekends
Hohensee Location Only
9:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday
9:00 am to 1:00 pm Sunday
Clinic Hours-Evenings
Monday – Thursday starting at 5:30 pm
Phone Hours
8:00 am to 5:30 pm Monday – Thursday
8:00 am to 5:00 pm Friday
8:30 am to 3:30 pm Saturday
8:30 am to 12:15 pm Sunday
After hours - call 402-465-5600 and choose option 1 to reach our Nurse Triage Service.